Georgia Tech safety Isaiah Johnson is in good spirits as he recovers from his ACL tear, but is uncertain if he’ll be ready in time for the season opener, Aug. 31 against Elon.
Johnson opened the Yellow Jackets’ preseason camp Thursday in a yellow jersey, meaning he was cleared only to participate in non-contact drills. Johnson said he took part in individual drills with the safeties and walk-throughs. Johnson is a two-year starter at safety and was chosen for Sporting News’ preseason All-ACC team.
“Nothing serious, not too much movement,” Johnson said. “Just slow and steady.”
Given that the injury took place just over eight months ago, and a return from an ACL tear can take a year or longer, a patient course of rehabilitation is perhaps wisest. That said, it hasn’t been easy for Johnson to pace himself. He was sore Thursday, he said, because he went too hard in a workout.
“I have to be smart and adjust, know my boundaries, because I’m not 100 percent, so I can’t do what I really want to do,” he said. “I just have to be patient and good things will come.”
Johnson suffered the injury in bowl practice in a knee-to-knee collision with a teammate.
Passing goal: In his postpractice comments Thursday, coach Paul Johnson mentioned a goal for the passing game, saying he wants the offense to finish in the top 15 nationally in passing efficiency. The Jackets have actually finished twice in the top 15 in Johnson's five-year tenure, in 2009 (12th) and 2011 (14th). Passing efficiency isn't based on the volume of passing, but takes into account completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown and interception percentage. Given that Tech's offense often throws deep, completion percentage isn't always high, but yards per attempt usually is.
“That’d be more meaningful to me than the completion percentage,” Johnson said.
Tech ranked 35th last season in passing efficiency.
Johnson also gave a pat on the back to strength-and-conditioning coach John Sisk, saying the results from the team’s conditioning test were the best since Johnson arrived. He noted in particular that cornerback Louis Young stood out. Young worked with a personal trainer this summer in addition to doing the team’s daily strength-and-conditioning workouts.
“I thought that guys came back in really good condition,” Johnson said. “I give coach Sisk and his staff a lot of credit.”
Nealy grinding: Linebacker Quayshawn Nealy said Thursday he wanted to shed about eight pounds to get down to 235 pounds. Because of a summer internship at a marketing company that required a 45-minute one-way drive, Nealy ate out a lot, which put on unwanted weight.
Inspired by former NFL great Ray Lewis, Nealy worked out twice weekly wearing a 10-pound weight vest in addition to workouts with the team. With the vest, Nealy ran up and down the steps of Bobby Dodd Stadium, circling the stadium six times. With each lap, he ran or jumped, either on one foot or two.
Radio partnership: Tech announced Friday a partnership with Dickey Broadcasting, which owns 680 the Fan. The sports-talk station will broadcast the football and men's basketball weekly radio shows, a daily radio segment on Tech and a weekly interview show with athletic director Mike Bobinski. The broadcasts also will be aired on 680's FM signal, 93.7.
In June, Tech and 790 the Zone mutually agreed to end 790’s status as Tech’s flagship station, a title that is carried by 106.7. The all-news station also will carry the coaches’ shows on tape delay. Both shows will be on Monday nights during their respective seasons. Johnson’s will move from its previous spot on Wednesday evenings. When 680 is carrying Braves programming Monday nights, 106.7 will broadcast the shows live.
The partnership is part of Bobinski’s initiative to better market Tech’s teams to metro Atlanta. The Jackets’ football and basketball teams have commanded little attention on local sports-talk radio.
Fan day: Tech will hold its annual fan day Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Festivities will begin at 3 p.m. on Callaway Plaza with inflatables and music. At 4 p.m., players and Johnson will be available for autographs on the field for 90 minutes. Free parking is available in the Klaus and Peters parking decks with limited on-street parking. More information is available at ramblinwreck.com.
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